Despite the recommendation of physical activity for
preventing and treating depression, exercise therapy is
not widely utilized in postpartum depression (PPD) as
commonly perceived. The present study aims to investigate the association between physical activity and the
risk of PPD, providing supplementary treatment recommendations. For the study 95 participants were recruited in their third trimester of pregnancy until one
week after delivery, dividing them into three groups
based on Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)
scores: healthy controls group with a score < 9, n = 40;
screening positive group with a score 9–11, n = 31;
PPD group with a score ≥ 12, n = 24. Physical activity
rating scale (PARS-3) was used to measure activity
levels along with daily step records from mobile
phones. The total scores of PARS-3, exercise time and
frequency differed among the three groups. There
were significant negative correlations between exercise
data and postpartum EPDS scores at baseline as well
as during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The findings of this study highlight the importance of
physical activity during the postpartum period and
provide optimal timing and frequency recommendations for exercise in pregnant women.